Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson sees "modest" investment in Alberta budget

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said Tuesday's budget includes “modest” investment for cities but is nonetheless encouraging.

The budget includes a continuation of the Green Trip program, which will invest nearly $1 billion over the next five years — and an additional $330 million — for transit programs.

The province also announced an additional $100 million boost Tuesday to the Municipal Sustainability initiative, which funds city infrastructure projects.

Iveson said municipalities need all the money they can get.

“I think some of the specific investments of money around local government are modest, but encouraging,” he said. “We certainly have a list of things we can put that towards and create jobs in the process.”

Newly appointed Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee said the government is listening to cities, including to Edmonton.

“We heard loud and clear from municipalities that they wanted that stable and predictable funding.”